Quarterback material: Isaac Woodhouse scouted by the NFL

Melbourne teen Isaac Woodhouse has been scouted by the NFL who believe he has what it takes to be the first Aussie to become a quarterback.

A Melbourne teen considered a generational “unicorn” has emerged as a surprise prospect of touching down an NFL feat never conquered by anyone outside the US or Canada.

Balwyn’s Isaac Woodhouse has grabbed the attention of talent scouts who believe the 19-year-old has what it takes to become the first Aussie to become a quarterback in the NFL.

Despite playing just 10 matches, the former Xavier College student on Friday flew to the US hoping to follow in the footsteps of gridiron greats such as seven time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.

An Aussie has never played quarterback for a division one US school, let alone the NFL but colleges including Duke are licking their lips at the raw talent already standing 1.98m high and eyeing a 105kg playing weight.

Melbourne teenager Isaac Woodhouse heads off to America tomorrow. Picture: Michael Klein

“It’s a bit unique — I’m hoping to be the first quarterback to ever do it from Australia,’’ he said.

“Obviously there have been some punters who have gone over there and done pretty well, they have had some success.

“But I’m hoping to pave the way for some quarterbacks and other skill positions’’.

Experts suggest Woodhouse will shake up the US with his size, smarts and agility.

The accidental star in the making who grew up playing AFL, cricket and basketball told the Herald Sun he was determined to make history as elite US colleges clamoured for his services.

Woodhouse is headed to Springball in California to try out for a college gridiron opportunity. Picture: Michael Klein

“It’s all happened really quickly but all you can do is learn along the way and give it your best crack and see how it goes,’’ he said.

Woodhouse stood out in December’s Vic Bowl when he replaced a veteran quarterback with scores tied and less than six minutes to play, dominated proceedings and threw the match winner.

His Western Crusaders coach Glenn Parke, a quarterback for Victoria for 22 years, said US scouts were taking notice as Woodhouse chased his NFL dream.

“Not only would he be the first Australian, he would be the only non North American to ever do it,’’ he said.

“So this is the rare air, unicorn kind of stuff that could happen if things go well for him.’’

Woodhouse will strut his stuff at Springball’’ in California under the gaze of recruiters from the likes of Duke, Alabama, Notre Dame and Ohio State universities.

Parke said: “He’s one of one — I have never seen the like of him.

“I’ve never seen a kid progress from a skinny 17 year old to clearly the best quarterback in this country inside 12 months.’’

Woodhouse has potential to be the first Australian NFL quarterback in history. Picture: Michael Klein

Woodhouse said: “Obviously there is not a massive following of American football over here but you kind of look at people who can do it at the elite level and go ‘why can’t I?’

“Obviously Tom Brady’s story is pretty well known.

“He wasn’t highly recruited out of high school and it just shows there is an opportunity and pathway for people who don’t have success younger to go on and become the greatest of all time in Tom Brady’s situation.’’

He hoped the sport exploded in Australia, off the back of matches at the MCG and Jordan Mailata becoming the first Aussie to win a Superbowl.

With NCAA rules banning athletes making a US income, Woodhouse will rely on Aussie backers such as compression company Saint bankrolling his quest.

Parke said: “The overseas guys I trust and I’ve known forever, believe he has an NFL calibre arm.

“I’ve always believed it but if you want that confirmation, from the people involved in the NFL, that know the system he is going to go though and how much improvement he has.

“He is deadly accurate.’’

Originally published as Quarterback material: Isaac Woodhouse scouted by the NFL